Yr 11 - Extreme Natural Events - Likely Questions and some simple essay plans!

In this assessment it is possible to predict the type of questions you are likely to get. They tend to always ask the following;

• What processes cause your chosen Extreme Natural Event (what causes earthquakes)?
• What impacts does your chosen Extreme Natural Event have on the natural or the cultural environment? (How do earthquakes affect people and cities or the natural landscape?)
• How did people respond to your Extreme Natural Event in the short or long term? (How did people react immediately after the earthquake and how did they respond in the days weeks or months after the event?)

Below are example of some of the questions you are likely to get along with brief essay plans. These are short sentences or bullet points with a summary of what you will write about in each paragraph. In the assessment you will need to write in full sentences and in essay style. These are just rough plans of what you could include in an answer.

Question 1

Fully explain the natural processes that operate to produce your named extreme natural event within the environment of your named case study. Also specifically asks you to include reference to the concepts of Process and Environment.

Paragraph 1 - An earthquake is caused by the movement of the earth’s crust and can cause a lot of damage and devastation. Process = Plate tectonics. The earths structure – crust, mantle, inner and outer core. Split into plates. (diagram of earth’s structure)

Paragraph 2 – What causes plates to move (convection currents). Plate boundaries – conservative/constructive/convergent(destructive or subductive).Destructive beneath NZ – Pacific + Australian plate. Build up of stress energy, release = earthquake. (possible diagram of plate boundaries)

Paragraph 3 – Plates beneath NZ Environment = causes of Christchurch EQ – previously unknown fault. Magnitude 6.3. Epicentre 10km to SE of CC centre. Followed 6 months after 7.1 magnitude quake.

Question 2

Fully explain how your named extreme natural event has affected the cultural environment.You may use diagrams, and include some of the ideas from the table below, to support your answer.

Cultural Environment = Created by man – so cities/towns/buildings/roads

Paragraph 1 – Intro – Caused wide spread devastation…many buildings/infrastructure destroyed. Details of EQ – struck at 12.51pm on 22^nd Feb 2011. 185 people killed. Fire + falling building causing many deaths (CTV building). Cost of rebuilding $20-30 billion. Tents set up in central park for people who’s homes had been damaged.

Paragraph 2 – Liquefaction – to eastern suburbs – damaging roads/homes. Roads/bridges/airport damaged causing problems for rescue efforts.

Paragraph 3 – Electricity/Power lost to many (on day of quake 80% of city without power) – took 5 days to get 82% reconnected.  Many lost water supply took a week to reconnect 70% of the city. Sewage and water pipes burst. 2000 portaloos had to be bought in and 5000 chemical toilets.

Paragraph 4 – loss of businesses/jobs due to damaged buildings and inability to access CBD. Depression and people leaving the area to live elsewhere – (CC no longer 2^nd biggest city in NZ). Loss of communities…..

Question 3

In the space below, describe the human response both during and after your chosen extreme natural event. You may answer in paragraph form or use a combination of diagrams and notes. Specific references to a named case study (or studies) must be included in your answer.

Paragraph 1 - Initial response.

•  Ordinary people helped to rescue those who were trapped
• Urban Search and Rescue was there within a couple of hours of the event.
• Emergency government cabinet meeting held at 3pm
• The Canterbury Art Gallery, which was earthquake proof, was turned into an emergency response centre.
• 300 Australian police were flown in
• The police provided security cordons, organised evacuations, supported search and rescue teams, missing persons and family liaison, and organised media briefings and tours of the affected areas.
• Chemical toilets were provided for 30,000 residents
• Areas were zoned (green, orange, white, red) to classify damage/cost of repairs
• International aid was provided in the form of money (around $6-7 million) and aid workers
• The Earthquake commission assessed all buildings to ensure they were safe.

Paragraph 2 - Long term response.

•  The Red Cross provided grants to families with children under 5years of age who were living in significantly damaged homes caused by the September or February earthquakes, with their electricity bills.
• The police coordinated forensic analysis and evidence gathering of fatalities working closely with pathologists, forensic dentists and scientists.
• Paid $898 million in building claims
• Provided temporary housing and ensured all damaged housing was kept water tight
• Water and sewerage was restored for all residents by August
• Roads and houses were cleared of silt from liquefaction by August and 80% of roads/50% of footpaths were repaired